Now most smartphone manufacturers have borrowed one or more of those cues. Palm's Pre, for instance, was the first iPhone rival to include multi-touch. Microsoft's Windows Mobile will reportedly employ it next.

Another iPhone revolution: The App Store. While other smartphone platforms could use third-party apps for years, Apple was the first to make an app platform that was easy for developers to write apps for, and a store that was easy for consumers to browse, purchase, and download apps from.

Now everyone has a widget platform and sort-of "app store" -- even some TVs.